Chapter 18: They meet a couple

Chapter 18: They meet a couple

Brad and Megan

Thirty minutes later Shaggy pushed a couple branches aside. “We’re here. The Lost Trail.”

Daphne looked about. It did not look too overgrown. She could still clearly see the edges. “This is it?”

“Yep. Used to be much clearer, less undergrowth. You ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

The three started down the trail. Some parts were almost pristine. Other parts looked like nobody had been there in at least three years. They could hear the birds singing and the rustle of the occasional animal.

A distance down the path Scooby’s ears perked up. He sniffed a couple of times. “There’s somebody up ahead.”

Daphne did not look thrilled.

Shaggy looked at great Dane. “How many?”

The dog sniffed again. “Two.”

A minute or so later the two groups met.

It would be an understatement to say the two groups were unhappy to meet like this.

Well one group really was. The other no longer cared for any fight. They just wanted a sign saying “Exit this way.”

The other group really could have lived long and happy life never having see the other two again.

“Brad. Megan. Daphne’s voice was cold enough to try and provoke an early frost.”

The forest became real quiet really quick. Even the small woodland animals could pick up on the redhead’s anger. They had no desire to stick around for what was about to happen.

Scooby and Shaggy did not need a primer on public interactions to know what was coming would not be good. At all.

Daphne was tempted to charge. They were really in the middle of nowhere. She had Rage on her side. She would not need any help to bury these two. And boy did she want to.

Shaggy decided that this going violent would really put them off their need to get here out of here quickly. “Daphne. Be reasonable. This isn’t the time. We have places we need to be. You told us this yourself.”

Daphne was barely in the mood to be reasonable. “If I did not like my freedom so much I would bury you so deep google would not be able to find you. I want to go far enough from you I can’t find you if I tried. Both of you.” Her voice trembled.

Shaggy took her hand. “Scooby. A way away from them and where we need to go. Now please.”

Daphne held her ground. “No. I’m tired of being chased by these guys.”

Shaggy did not look so sure about this.

“No. I have too. These are not the two stalkers. Listening should not be too much trouble.”

He sighed. “Go ahead. But please be quick. The sooner we’re gone the sooner we can be sure we’ve left the others behind.”

Brad stepped forward. “Things went wrong. I admit that. Probably the moment I agreed to this blind date. Then it became a matter of pride. The group scattering in the middle of last night really ruined things. I just about found shelter in a cave. I’ll tell you one thing. Sitting alone in a cave makes one think. Daphne’s wonderful and all, but the more I thought about it, the more it became obvious we were not made for each other. Then Rachel found me. It soon became clear I was chasing the wrong Blake. I will not chase you anymore.”

Megan took his hand. “Neither will I. This started as a family favor. That did not work out. The more think on it, the more I realize it never would have. Brad and I have much more in common. I expect we will be a much happier couple together.”

Daphne nodded at that. “Very well. You two have come to your senses. And even found happiness. I’m glad. I just want Rachel to know something. I have never felt so betrayed as when you heard Brads sycophants talking about their plans and you did not speak up. Brad had better keep them under better control for your sake. Or better yet, get rid of them for your sake. I don’t know if we can ever be friends after tonight. But I will not hate you.” She paused. “With friends the ones he seems to have, perhaps I should pity you instead.”

Neither Brad nor Megan had a response to that. But they did step aside and let the three of them pass.

Not an hour later they were at the parking lot.

They started packing the last bits of stuff.

Finally Shaggy turned to hi best friend. “Scooby, everything loaded?”

“Yes Shaggy.” The big dog replied as he closed the back doors of the van.

“Good. Then its time. Time to see what the future holds.”

“Oh no.” Daphne’s comment was a cross between a moan and an exclamation. The sort of tone no woman uses if she has the slightest happiness at all about what is going on at the moment.

“Found you. Now we’re going to fuck you.”

Daphne adjusted her position. Not in this or any other world. “Shaggy! Scooby!”

Shaggy came round from the driver’s side. “Not you two again.”

“Just give us the slut and you can leave. Else we’ll beat you into the mud.”

Scooby glared at the threat to his friend.

“You expect us to give her to you to be abused?” Shaggy glared back. “Like really??” Shaggy was more than annoyed. If there was anything had hated more than he liked food, it was people who abused women.

“Tell you what. You can join in.”

If this was a cartoon, Shaggy would have had steam coming out of his ears at this point. “That will not be happening.” Shaggy spoke with the certainty of death and taxes. “Scooby! Protect!! Like ZOINKS!!!” He shouted the last word at the top of his voice.

Scooby jumped in front of Daphne and started growling.

Daphne almost believed the dog was going to eat the two stalkers.

Shaggy did know better. Even he was almost fooled by Scooby’s act. Especially when the dog asked for ketchup.

“Did that dog actually ask for ketchup?” One attacker asked.

“Never mind that the other snapped. It doesn’t matter. Not does it matter why he wants it. The important thing is that we are all going is that we are all about to be eaten by a talking dog.”

Snoopy put on his most frightening look.

Daphne thought that look would convince the hound of the Baskervilles to give up evil and take up being a therapy pet.

“I asked for ketchup because ketchup makes everything taste better. And yes, I intend to eat you.” The dog growled.

Several brawny men came out of the woods. They made football linebackers look petit. “Shaggy, you yelled?”

“Yes. I am fine, but these two want to hurt Daphne.”

“Not on our watch. And sorry, Scooby, but we can’t let you eat them.”

“Not even one? Please?”

“Nope. No matter how evil, you are not allowed to eat them. Think about the bad breath they would give you.”

“Hey!”

Scooby made a show of thinking.

Meanwhile Shaggy had not just been watching the show. He had returned to the van, entered, then opened the side panel door. He motioned Daphne inside.

Of course, Scooby knew all this. He was waiting for the sign.

The two security people looked at the stalkers. “You two are leaving now.” They started approaching them.

“Now, Scooby!” Shaggy called.

Scooby dropped his vicious dog act and hopped inside the van.

Shaggy hit the gas.

The van sped off.

One would think their escape assured.

Sadly, there was only one road in or out of the Cummune. It was long enough that the stalkers were able to get into their car and race after them.

Shaggy drove as though he did road races as hobby.

Sadly the others were driving a sports car. A well designed, well cared for sports car.

Most people would not have put large bets on winner of this race.

Most people also had not spent as much time on these roads as Shaggy.